It’s no secret that the Ohio State football program has had some extremely talented players that have gone on to make a name for themselves at the next level. And it’s on both sides of the ball really. However, the defensive side of the ball has produced perhaps a little more top-notch talent that has made a pretty big splash both in college and in the NFL.
And Buckeye fans aren’t the only ones that have noticed. ESPN’s Bill Connelly put together a list of the 80 best college defenders of the 2000s, and Ohio State is very well represented with five players on appearing. We could nitpick this all day as you’ll see, but it’s a fine effort from the resident ESPN expert analytical guru.
So let’s get right into it and pour through the OSU players and where they rank on Connelly’s list.
NEXT … Bigger Bear off the edge
No. 56 – Joey Bosa, Defensive End (2013-2015)
What Connelly Says about Joey Bosa
“Ohio State’s title-winning 2014 campaign is remembered primarily for late-season charges from Ezekiel Elliott and Cardale Jones, but Bosa was the team’s steadiest star, logging 21.5 TFLs and 13.5 sacks in his first of two All-America seasons.”
What We Say
This seems about right for Bosa, though what he’s done in the NFL might make you wonder why he wasn’t even more dominant in college. He became a force immediately as a freshman through to the end of his career at Ohio State.
NEXT … A ball “hawk”
No. 40 – A.J. Hawk, Linebacker (2002-2005)
What Connelly Says about Hawk
“Even at a school that has seemingly produced thousands of stud linebackers, Hawk stood out. He began his career helping the Buckeyes to the 2002 national title and finished it by winning the Lombardi Award and unanimous All-America honors.”
What We Say
Hawk might be one of the most underrated and unforgotten linebackers in Big Ten history. The fact that he was only a three-star prospect and turned himself into a two-time All-American and first-round NFL draft pick speaks very loudly about his work ethic and development.
NEXT … A safety that won at all levels
No. 32 – Mike Doss, Safety (1999-2002)
What Connelly Says about Doss
“Maybe the perfect free safety. Doss started 40 games, earned All-America honors three times, combined eight INTs with six sacks, put out countless fires before they could start and earned defensive MVP honors in his final game: 2002’s BCS Championship win over Miami.”
What We Say
Doss was the heart and soul of the Ohio State team in 2002. He came back OSU to bring a national title home, and he’s one of the few players that can say he won a title at all levels he played. He was a hard-hitting playmaker.
NEXT … A Nagurski winning linebacker
No. 17 – Jame Laurinaitis, linebacker (2005-2008)
What Connelly Says about Doss
“Laurinaitis recorded between 115-130 tackles, between 7-8.5 TFLs, between 3-4 sacks and between 2-5 INTs each year from 2006-08, earning consensus All-America honors each year and winning the Nagurski Trophy one year, the Butkus the next and the Ronnie Lott Trophy the next.”
What We Say
Laurinaitis surprised everyone by getting on the field as a freshman and never looked back. Not too many guys can say they were consensus All-Americans every year they played. He seemed to always be in the right place with a nose for the ball and toughness that you think of from a throw-back middle linebacker.
NEXT … A Heisman finalist at defensive end
No. 15 – Chase Young, defensive end (2017-2019)
What Connelly Says about Doss
“The former blue-chipper was good from the start, making five TFLs as a freshman backup. He came into his own as a sophomore (14.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, five pass breakups) before putting together one of the best pass-rushing seasons ever in 2019: 21 TFLs, 16.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three breakups.”
What We Say
We have a problem with this ranking. Chase Young was a generational type talent at defensive end and even became a Heisman finalist in 2019. Not too many defenders above him on this list can say that. He was a game-wrecker, and although No. 15 is really good, the ranking should be better.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.
